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Pimpama Australia

Which males are best to use? The male flowers off the main vine or is it just as good to use the males off the secondaries. Has anyone seen a difference between the two? And in your opinion what is the best time of day to pollinate?
Do you have a favourite temperature to do this too?

12/1/2008 7:44:21 PM

Any males that are healthy are good to use. It dose not really matter where on the plant there from as long as there nice and green and healthy. Early morning(4:30am-8:am)is the best time. As long as its under 99 deg and above 70 deg then thats good enough for me. Hope this help.

Martin

12/1/2008 8:46:02 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

If you are gonna wait till 8 to pick the males, they have prbly already been visited by cross-pollinators (bees,etc.). Cover the males the night before, or pick em and bring em inside... with a little sunlight and warmth, they open up and bloom just fine inside the house!!! Peace, Wayne

12/3/2008 12:19:15 AM

Santa Rosa, CA

Patch

That is a great question. I asked our state record holder Pete Glasier that question this year. He said it does not matter if the males came from the main vine or a secondary.

I also want to add that most experienced growers like to pick males from very healthy plants vs. ones that are weak.

Most growers try to pollinate just after sunrise. The reason is you don't want bees helping you with a pollination where you are trying to control the cross.

My favorite temperature is if it is not too hot. The problem I have seen is that you may get aborts. when the temperatures are over 100 degrees F. Usually the female pumpkin will start to grow in a day or so. With the aborts., they don't grow.

Good luck!

Chuck

12/3/2008 10:31:32 AM